Ladies accessories with interchangeable portions

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to ladies accessories. More particularly it relates to footwear and handbags having interchangeable portions. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved securing method adapted to various interchangeable portions, so that the appearance of footwear and handbags may be changed quickly and easily by replacing only the interchangeable portion of said footwear and handbags.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to ladies accessories. More particularly it relates to ladies footwear and handbags having interchangeable portions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] In the field of ladies footwear and handbags, wearers differ in individual tastes and financial resources. Purchasing many different shoes or handbags to match different outfits, particularly for women, can be prohibitively expensive. Therefore, there exists a need for people to have the ability to customize their own footwear and handbags according to their individual needs. For example, individual persons often prefer a wide range of styles and colors of footwear and handbags. Also, individual persons have limited monetary budgets or storage space but require a number of footwear and handbag styles to match various styles of dress.

[0003] Due to these factors, many different styles of footwear and handbags have been developed based on the person's individual tastes, budgets and needs. Therefore it is desirable for a person to select a base style he/she prefers and then customize the footwear and/or handbag to his/her particular tastes and needs.

[0004] Numerous innovations for footwear and ladies handbags having interchangeable components have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention as hereafter contrasted.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,910 to Lewis et al. discloses a shoe with an interchangeable heel. This patent differs from the present invention because only the heel may be changed, not the color or style of the upper.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,900 to Mitchell et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,948 also to Mitchell et al. both disclose a method to display decorative attachments for articles of clothing and footwear. This patent differs from the present invention because only a small patch or logo can be interchanged, instead of the appearance of the entire shoe.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,642 to Liao et al. discloses a shoe with interchangeable uppers. This patent differs from the present invention because it uses a complex arrangement of strings, straps, and hooks to secure the upper portion of the shoe instead of using the much more simple and convenient fastener commonly referred to by its trademark “Velcro”.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,280 to Halliday et al. discloses a shoe with interchangeable components. This patent differs from the present invention because the entire shoe is made up of interchangeable components instead of the greater simplicity and convenience of only interchangeable uppers.

[0009] Numerous innovations for footwear and ladies handbags with interchangeable components have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention describes ladies accessories with interchangeable portions enabling the differently styled and colored portions to be easily removed or added to suit the tastes of the individual user.

[0011] For conventional shoes, one big disadvantage is the expense involved in purchasing new pairs of shoes with different colors and styles. The present invention provides a simple and cost-effective method for easily and quickly changing the upper portion of the shoe thus resulting in a completely different appearance of the shoe.

[0012] This invention enables users to custom-design the appearance of their own footwear according to their individual needs. This concept provides for flexibility in the styling by working around a basic architecture. There will be as many as four basic styles available; including casual shoes, high-heel dress shoes, sandals, and boots. As these will form the basis of the footwear requirements, they will be made exceedingly comfortable and orthopedic. For attachment to these bases there will be a multiplicity of sheaths, coverings, or ‘uppers’ that are compatible with each of the respective shoes. The uppers will be made of a variety of materials to suit different needs (such as warm, insulated uppers for use in the winter, or open, ventilated uppers for use in the summer) and will be available in a vast multiplicity of designs and colors. Anyone who needs a variety of differently styled shoes should find this invention an ideal alternative to the cost and inconvenience of owning many different pairs of shoes.

[0013] In another embodiment of the invention the interchangeable upper can be applied to a ladies handbag, thus providing a simple and cost-efficient method of completely changing the appearance of said handbag.

[0014] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide footwear that would allow a user to custom-design the look, style and utility of their own footwear according to their individual needs.

[0015] More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide footwear with interchangeable uppers that are attached to the shoe by hook and loop fasteners, commonly referred to by the trademark “Velcro”.

[0016] In keeping with these objects, and with others, which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention, briefly stated, is that various styles of footwear can be achieved.

[0017] When the footwear with interchangeable uppers is designed in accordance with the present invention, the uppers can be changed in seconds.

[0018] In accordance with another feature of the present invention, no buckles, strings, straps, or gluing is required to attach the uppers to the shoe.

[0019] Another feature of the present invention is that the uppers are small and light enough that a plurality of different styles can be easily carried with the owner in a purse or pocket.

[0020] Still another feature of the present invention is that it greatly reduces the need for multiple pairs of shoes and will save a tremendous amount of closet space within one's home or in one's luggage while traveling.

[0021] Still yet another feature of the present invention is that the fashion requirements of the consumer (a multiplicity of styles and complimentary designs for one's entire wardrobe) will be met in a way that is both practical and cost-efficient.

[0022] Still another feature of the present invention is that it can also be applied to a ladies handbag, thus allowing the consumer a wider range of handbag styles and designs without the cost or storage space necessary to actually own many different handbags.

[0023] It should be understood that while the above and other advantages and results of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, showing the contemplated novel construction, combinations and elements as herein described, and more defined by the appended claims, it is understood that changes in the precise embodiments of the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.

[0024] The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In the drawings:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention illustrating the securing areas for the interchangeable uppers of the shoe. In this embodiment the shoe is a high heel design.

[0027]FIG. 2A is a side view of the invention illustrating the securing areas for the interchangeable uppers of the shoe. In this embodiment the shoe is a sandal design, which can be used as a universal base for a multiplicity of the interchangeable uppers.

[0028]FIG. 2B is a top plan view of an alternate interchangeable upper design.

[0029]FIG. 3 is a side view of the invention illustrating the securing areas for the interchangeable uppers of the shoe. In this embodiment the shoe is a casual low heel ladies design.

[0030]FIG. 4 is a side view of the invention illustrating the securing areas for the interchangeable uppers of the shoe. In this embodiment the shoe is a boot style design.

[0031]FIG. 5 is a side view of the invention illustrating the securing areas for the interchangeable covers of the handbag embodiment.

[0032] In the various figures of the drawings like reference characters designate like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be with in the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims.

[0034] The present invention is directed to ladies accessories with interchangeable portions. The essential part of the invention is interchangeable portions and their securing areas, which comprise strips of the hook and loop fastener commonly referred to by the trademark “Velcro”.

[0035]FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention 10 in a high heel shoe design embodiment 12. The present invention 10 consists of the base or sole of the shoe itself 12, to which are permanently attached, bilaterally along the side of the sole, two securing areas of the hook portion of the hook and loop commonly referred to by the trademark “Velcro” 14, as well as a third and fourth section of said “Velcro” at the toe 14 a and the rim 14 b of the shoe. The interchangeable uppers 15 are connected by the loop portion of the said “Velcro” 16 to the base or skeleton support section 12 of the shoe. Said interchangeable uppers 15 are constructed of durable fabric in a variety of patterns and colors. It is, of course, understood that the hook and loop portions of the fastener could be reversed with respect to the base shoe and the uppers.

[0036]FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention 10 in a sandal shoe design embodiment 22, to which are permanently attached, bilaterally along the side of the sole, two securing areas of one portion of the hook and loop fastener commonly referred to by the trademark “Velcro” 23. This particular embodiment of the invention 10 is an example of a proposed universal base, which can be used with any style sheath. The proposed universal base will be encircled by said “Velcro” to match any style of the multiplicity of interchangeable uppers. The said interchangeable uppers 24 are connected by one portion of the said “Velcro” 25 to the base 22 of the shoe. Said interchangeable uppers 24 are constructed of durable fabric in a variety of patterns and colors. An example of an alternate embodiment of said interchangeable upper is shown at 26.

[0037]FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention 10 in a casual low heel shoe design embodiment 32, to which are permanently attached, bilaterally along the side of the sole, two securing areas of one portion of the hook and loop fastener commonly referred to by the trademark “Velcro” 33, as well as a third and forth section of said “Velcro” at the heel 33 a and the rim 33 b of the shoe. The interchangeable uppers 34 are connected by one portion of the said “Velcro” 35 to the base or support skeleton section 32 of the shoe. Said interchangeable uppers 34 are constructed of durable fabric in a variety of patterns and colors.

[0038]FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention 10 in a boot design embodiment 42, to which are permanently attached, bilaterally along the side of the sole, two securing areas of one portion of one and loop fastener commonly referred to by the trademark “Velcro” 44. The interchangeable boot uppers are connected by one portion of said “Velcro” to the base or support skeleton section 42 of the shoe. Said interchangeable boot uppers are constructed of durable fabric in a variety of patterns and colors and will wrap around the leg and connect with themselves by a strip of one portion of said “Velcro” 46 a running up the length of the said interchangeable boot upper.

[0039]FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention 10 in a ladies handbag embodiment 52, to which are permanently attached, bilaterally along the perimeter of the bag, a securing area of one portion of the hook and loop fastener commonly referred to by the trademark “Velcro” 54. An interchangeable sheath 55 is connected by one portion of said “Velcro” to the base handbag 52. Said interchangeable sheath 55 is constructed of durable fabric in a variety of patterns and colors and will wrap around the base section 52 of the handbag and connect to a strip of one portion of said “Velcro” 54, thus completely enveloping the base handbag 52.

[0040] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and exemplary therefore and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated constructions may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A ladies accessory assembly with interchangeable portions, comprising: a base unit having strips of a hook and loop fastener attached to the said base unit; and a variety of interchangeable portions with strips of the said hook and loop fastener attached to the said interchangeable portions, whereby the said interchangeable portions are securely fastened to said base unit at the points where strips of said hook and loop fasteners are also attached to said base unit.
 2. A ladies accessory assembly in accordance with claim 1, comprising: a shoe sole unit including a sole and a heel; said sole having strips of a hook and loop fastener attached to the sides of said sole; and a variety of interchangeable uppers with strips of the said hook and loop fastener attached, whereby said uppers are securely fastened to said sole unit at the points where the strips of said hook and loop fasteners are attached to said sole unit.
 3. A ladies accessory assembly in accordance with claim 1, comprising: a handbag base unit having strips of a hook and loop fastener attached to the perimeter of said handbag base unit, and a variety of interchangeable sheathes with strips of said hook and loop fastener attached, whereby said interchangeable sheathes can be securely fastened to said base unit at the points where the strips of said hook and loop fasteners are attached to said handbag base unit.
 4. A shoe assembly comprising: a sole unit including a sole and heel, said sole having strips of a hook and loop fastener attached to the sides of the said sole; and a variety of interchangeable uppers with strips of said hook and loop fastener attached to said interchangeable uppers, whereby said uppers can be securely fastened to said sole unit at the points where strips of said hook and loop fasteners are attached to said sole unit.
 5. An assembly in accordance with claim 4, wherein said interchangeable uppers can be replaced with a variety of differently colored or styled interchangeable uppers.
 6. An assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein said shoe is a ladies high heel design.
 7. An assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein said shoe is a sandal design.
 8. An assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein said shoe is a ladies casual low heel design.
 9. An assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein said shoe is a boot design.
 10. A handbag assembly comprising: a base unit having strips of a hook and loop fastener attached to the perimeter of said base unit, and a variety of interchangeable sheathes with strips of the said hook and loop fastener attached, whereby said sheathes can be securely fastened to the said base unit at the points where the strips of said hook and loop fasteners are attached to said base unit.
 11. A handbag assembly in accordance with claim 10, wherein the said handbag is a shoulder strap design.
 12. A handbag assembly in accordance with claim 10, wherein the said handbag is a hand carried design. 